Connie put her arms around Nefah as she began to sob again.  Travis looked at K.T. as if to ask, “What do you want to do?”  With all this turmoil and danger, how would they see a chariot or a pyramid, a temple or a tomb? wondered K.T.

“You said King Tutankhamun died suddenly.  Did he have this ‘illness’ too?  Are all the workers dying?” asked Travis with the natural curiosity of a scientist.

“No, the pharaoh died suddenly by falling off his chariot.  He hit his head.  At least that is what we were told.  King Tutankhamun was known as the best charioteer.  He always drove himself.”  Nefah lowered her voice to a whisper.  “Some say the workers are getting sick because the pharaoh did not fall.  The illness is his revenge.  He is trying to keep them from burying him so fast.”

“What are the symptoms of the illness?” asked K.T.

“None of our people have taken ill, but we have heard that it starts with cramps in the stomach and then vomiting.  Finally, diarrhea weakens the worker and he must go to bed.  He can eat nothing without getting sick again.  Even water does not seem to help.”

“The workers are not dying yet, but if it is a curse, how could they ever recover?  And what will keep us safe?” Nefah’s crying grew louder but stopped abruptly when a shadow fell across the floor.  A tall man dressed in a loincloth stood in the doorway.

“My Master, the Overseer of the Tomb, asks that Nefah bring her guests to him.  He is most curious to learn from where these strangers travel.  You are all to come with me to the Valley of the Kings.  The chariots await.  You must hurry!” he commanded, escorting them from the safe, dark, quiet coolness of the home, back into the brilliant desert sunlight, dust and noise.

During the wild and rapid chariot ride across the desert, there was no time for the three friends to talk.  Only Travis seemed to enjoy any part of the journey.  As they walked toward the canopy that shaded the office of the overseer, they stayed close together and whispered a plan.

Travis warned, “We really need to leave before we cause any more trouble.  We did what we set out to do and even got to ride in a chariot.  It’s time to go back.”

“I still want to see the tombs.  Look how close we are!” Connie said pointing to the massive cliff walls covered with statues and grand openings to underground tombs.